David was born on July 18, 1946, in Zelda, Kentucky, to Bernard and Rebecca Jane Woods Pickens. The family moved to Mount Ida, Arkansas and later lived in Rittman, Ohio. He graduated from Rittman High School in 1966. During the Vietnam Conflict he served with the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army. He worked with Babcock and Wilcox Company in Barberton, Ohio following his military service. On December 22, 1979, he was married to Susan Green in Westfield, Ohio and the couple lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, Medina, Ohio, Monroe, Iowa and later settled near Lynnville, Iowa. Prior to his retirement he was a regional manager for Source Investments. David enjoyed hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, traveling and spending time with his grandchildren. He was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan. Survivors include his wife, Susan Pickens of Lynnville; one son, David (Tyana) Pickens of Canal Fulton, Ohio; one daughter, Kendra (Brian) Lytle of Columbus, Ohio; four grandchildren; one brother, Jerry (Charlene) Pickens of Rittman, Ohio; and two sisters, Becky (David) Grant of DeFuniak Springs, Florida and Alfretta Baugh of Hamilton, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Joe Pickens. Memorials may be directed to PALS of Grinnell or to American Diabetic Association.